Improving third-down defense crucial for Clemson

It's been more than a year now, but USC quarterback Dylan Thompson's 20-yard scoot to convert third-and-19 late in the victory over Clemson still haunts the Tigers' defensive linemen.

By ERIC BOYNTONeric.boynton@shj.com

It's been more than a year now, but USC quarterback Dylan Thompson's 20-yard scoot to convert third-and-19 late in the victory over Clemson still haunts the Tigers' defensive linemen.“In crunch time we didn't deliver and we're still talking to this day about the third-and-19 that they converted on the quarterback draw,” Clemson tackle Grady Jarrett said. “We busted a play and no excuse, but we just have to convert when it's there and can't allow big plays like that.”That wasn't the lone time the Tigers couldn't get off the field in a crucial situation as the Gamecocks converted 11 of 21 third downs, including several that required long yardage. USC also dominated time of possession, running 86 plays in 39:58 while the Tigers had only 59 snaps over a measly 20:02. During its four-game winning streak in the series, USC has averaged over 37 minutes of possession.“Third downs are always very critical any week,” Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. “You've got to win at the line of scrimmage. If they're chewing clock that probably means they're running the ball effectively.“A year ago that was a huge part of the game on both sides of the ball. We didn't convert many third downs on offense and we didn't stop them defensively on third down and that's a recipe for disaster. It's also a recipe for disaster if you don't own the line of scrimmage and we didn't do that, either.”Clemson's defensive front has made big improvements since last season, especially getting into the opposing backfield. The Tigers lead the nation with 106 tackles for loss, 15 more than any other program, after only posting 71 through 11 games a year ago. Clemson's 31 sacks is an improvement of seven from last season at this time.The Tigers know they must put pressure on USC quarterback Connor Shaw, who has a remarkable 20 touchdowns to only one interception, but also not leave any running lanes open.“No quarterback is going to be rattled if you don't get to him so we've got to get to him, push the pocket and not leave any gaps for him to squeeze through because he's a really good scrambler,” Jarrett said. “He's going to make some plays, but over the course of the game as long as we can get some pressure on him I feel like we can shake him up a little bit.”Of course if the Tigers become overly consumed with Shaw they'll still have to account for a heavy dose of tailback Mike Davis, who has come into his own this season with more than 1,000 rushing yards. If Davis can get out into space it's going to make for a long evening for the Tigers.“One thing Mike Davis has is that breakaway speed,” Jarrett said. “His speed is deceptive and people don't really talk about him as a fast back, but all year nobody has caught him from behind. As long as we don't let him get in full stride and away from us, get him while he's in the box and clog up the holes, we can have a good plan against him.”In their two earlier matchups this season against top-10 opponents, the defense surrendered it's two highest-point totals of the season in allowing 35 in the season-opening win over Georgia, and 51 in a blowout loss to Florida State.When asked if he had questions about his defense in big games, Venables simply replied “no, I don't.” Jarrett thinks his unit is playing its best football in his three years with the program.“I believe that we're better than the last three years because we've been working to get better across the whole defensive line and that we match up good with (USC),” Jarrett said.“No matter what anybody on the outside thinks or has to say, this is a new year and we're just as confident as we've been all year on the defense. We've had some games we could've performed better, but at this point in the year we feel like we're playing our best football. The previous years have nothing to do with this game.”